From VP Holding Perspective: Learn More About Atlas Copco’s Diversity Approach

What is Atlas Copco's general perspective towards women's career? Can you provide information on the global approach? 
Equal opportunities, fairness and diversity are fundamental pillars of AC’s people management process. The common purpose of all Atlas Copco companies is to increase diversity both in term of nationality and gender. Our priorities for sustainable, profitable growth include the ambition to recruit a workforce that reflects the diversity found in society

We have a vision that aims to develop women by being an attractive employer for them, to increase their loyalty to the company; and most important, to provide women with different point of views by giving them a work environment in which they can put themselves in every ways and realize their potentials. Of course, I may summarize our basic role as the Holding managers, as putting those theories into practice and spreading the group vision to all areas under our responsibility.

Are there any actions taken or planned globally in order to realize those goals? 
Diversity remains a challenge and it is addressed through initiatives such as the launch of programs with short term assignments abroad, mentorship programs (Pleiades), a global network and policies.

For instance, recognizing the need to develop more female managers, and ultimately recruit from the full base of talent within Atlas Copco, the first high-level female mentorship program –Pleiades*- was launched. The proportion of female recent graduates during the year among White collar workers rose to 39% from 31% the year before.

Have you reached to the point where you targeted with Pleiades?
Pleiades has provided interaction among successful, talented, dedicated and highly-motivated women by exceeding all functional, sectional, regional and geographical limits. This kind of interaction for sure brings many benefits like; motivation and inspiration, a greater understanding of Group operations, more awareness of opportunities for new challenges and professional development.

How is Atlas Copco Turkey's approach to diversity?
In order to carry on the Pleiades spirit within Turkey and ensure that the female employees are able to interact with professionals holding different visions, we started to work with the Professional Women's Network (PWN). We thought thatAtlas Copso's perspective on the gender diversity and vision supporting women's career would correspond to PWN's working groups and activities, therefore we did not hesitate much to be a corporate member. From the very beginning of our membership, this have been a collaboration towards which all our female employees approached with excitement.

If had to provide us some information about the Professional Women's Network, what would you like to say?
Having started its activities as an official association in 2013, PWN Istanbul provides the professional women with a cross-sectoral network and training platform, through aiming development of women in terms of leadership. Every month it organizes events in which people who were successful in their own fields share their knowledge and experiences, provides mentorhip opportunities and gives people the chance to experience creating a positive impact on the society by generating projects in different working groups and working in a non-governmental organization.

What are your collaboration principles with PWN?
By joining PWN's monthly seminars, Atlas Copco Turkey's female employees are both interacting with other members of the association and benefiting from knowledge and experiences of the senior-level lecturers. We contributed to the 2016 mentor/mentee program with 2 mentors and 3 mentees. We actively worked in the Engaging Men workshop. We took place in social responsibility projects. I can say that we spent the year 2016 in a very productive way.

Can you tell us a little about your plans for the year 2017?
This year we again are planning to actively take place in the PWN working groups, support participation to monthly events and maintain our contribution and active attendance to the mentor-mentee program. The fact that details on the mentor-mentee program is awaited impatiently is extremely pleasing and motivating both for me and the company. Besides these activities carried out with PWN, we also planned Pleaides meetings among us. We will start to put our event plans into practice as of February. Our first internal event will be with the Lawyer Mert Yalcin who is one of the associate partners of the YTT Law Firm. Last year we again had held a seminar on "women's position against the law". And so we will continue this year. We are planning to organize the internal Pleiades meetings within 2017 in the most frequent time intervals possible.

For more information please contact:
Duygu Evrankaya
Senior Communications Professional Corporate / Mining and Rock Excavation Business Area
Telephone: +90 (0)216 581 0579
Fax: +90 (0)216 581 0479
Email: duygu.evrankaya@tr.atlascopco.com